Children are Treasures

A couple in our homeschool group has given birth to beautiful twins and I recently went to see them. It was such a privilege to be able to hold and cuddle the precious bundles. I love babies so much!

One was lying in her crib and while we peered over to admire her, I asked the father what it was like having twins. I expected an answer such as "it's great but alot of work," or "we love it but they keep us busy," but his answer surprised and touched me all at the same time. He smiled and kindly and sincerely responded, "They're a blessing. We'd love to have a dozen more."

Wow.

This couple already has four children but would delight to add more little hands and voices to their family. They realize what's truly valuable. We really need more men (and women!) like this who view babies as blessings, not burdens.

My family loves the show on TLC called 18 Kids and Counting. It's a documentary of a christian homeschooling family with 18 children. What stands out to me about this show are the two facts that children are blessings and God provides. I can't imagine the expenses for a household of 20, but God is faithful to provide for them.

When God says children are blessings, He means it! (Ps. 127:3) This is heartbreaking in a society that views children as strains. So many refuse this "gift" from the Lord that He so kindly wants to give us.

Some couples would like more but just don't see it possible financially. To this I ask-- do we really believe God's Word? If God says children are blessings do you think He means it and will provide? Absolutely! The Duggard family is proof of this. They have 18 children yet they are living debt free. As this couple has chosen to joyfully accept as many blessings as the Lord sees fit, He has and continues to faithfully take care of them.

Children are apart of God's grace to us. If anyone should be having children it's Christians. We have a HUGE privilege to raise children in the fear and love of the TRUE God. The Bible tells us that children are like arrows to accomplish this (Ps. 127:4) and happy is the man who has many (Ps. 127:5).

If God tells us children are gifts, He will provide to take care of those blessings, and we must believe it. Praise God for the gift of children, and praise God for the honor to raise them to know and live for Him.

When We Realize We Need the Savior

Most Americans have heard of Jesus Christ. Most know that He died on a cross. But sadly many don't truly understand why. This is tragic in a world who is in need of a Savior.

We have to understand that no one desires a cure until they know their disease. Until people understand that they have sinned against God, broken His commandments, fallen short of His standard, and that there's absolutely nothing they can do to earn salvation for themselves, they will have no desire for Christ's gift of eternal life.

This is what the law is for. The Bible tells us that the law is our schoolmaster to bring us to Christ (Gal. 3:24) and that by the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. 3:20). Paul said that he didn't know he was a sinner before the law (Rom. 7:7). It is perfect, converting the soul (Ps. 19:7). This is one reason we simply should not remove it from our way of witnessing.

Today's popular methods of evangelism are shallow and unconvincing. "Jesus loves you," "God has a wonderful plan for your life" or "come discover the joy and peace that Jesus has given me!" are very true and great statements, but when bringing someone to Christ, they only invite confusion. Why do so many turn away from the faith when hard times come? Why do so many cling to God's love but believe Christ accepts their sin too? If you give the wrong reason to accept Christ, that person will have the wrong motive for coming and therefore the wrong expectations.

Yes, Jesus is loving and forgiving and this cannot be acknowledge enough, but this must not be separated from His righteousness and holiness. God hates sin and it will not go unpunished. Too many have the idea that since God is forgiving that he will pardon their sinful lifestyle once they stand before Him on judgment day. Let me refute this with a modern day example: If a thief or murderer asked a judge to forgive him, that judge would be an unjust one if he let him off the hook. Justice simply cannot be overlooked, and God doesn't overlook it either.

But put yourself in the courtroom example and imagine that someone walked in and said they would pay your fine because they loved you. This is exactly what Christ did.

When you go through the Ten Commandments and realize that you have lied, stolen, taken God's name in vain...That you've fallen so short of God's high standards that if you've lusted, you've committed adultery in heart (Mat. 5:28), and if you have hated you've murdered in heart (Matt.5:21-22)....you cannot stop the guilt. You and I have broken every commandment...and I only mentioned half of them. We have fallen so short that God says that if you have broken one of them, you are guilty of breaking all (Jam. 2:10), just like a chain is broken if one link is missing.

But when you come to that point of acknowledging how much you've actually sinned against God and broken His holy standards, this is when Christ's sacrifice finally comes to life. It's always my favorite part in witnessing to finally ask, "____, do you know what Christ did for you?" I usually receive a light-bulb moment look that replies "Christ died for me; for my sins." Many know this fact, but after going through the law it finally makes sense why. Christ died to make a way to heaven for me because I'm destined for hell and there's nothing I can do on my own to change that.

The Good News is simply not good news until you know why you need it. And until people realize they need a Savior because they are totally helpless sinners, they will not desire the cure that Jesus so lovingly offers them. We must, we must, be sharing the gospel according to the Scriptures by convicting from the law.

While some in foreign lands have never heard of Christ, those that have heard here in America need to know the truth just as desperately. We have a mission, we know the cure, what will you do about it?

The Joy of the Lord is My Strength

Last week I enjoyed for the first time the role of being a camp counselor and I loved it. I know it was only successful because of God's power and the prayers of many family and friends back home.

The well known, Philippians 4:13, became so real to me last week. I did many things I could not have normally done and I was placed outside my comfort zone many times, but because God was my strength I was able to accomplish much for Him.

I loved everything about being a counselor: directing, counseling, and discipling five sweet girls, making awesome friends, meeting with other counselors for prayer 6:30 in the morning, meeting and getting to know many campers, learning about God and His Word, participating in fun camp activities, helping campers memorize Scripture, eating the delicious camp food! etc. etc.

But the most joyous part of my week was leading four campers to Christ. Of course it wasn't I who did it; God just happened to use me and put me at the right place at just the right time. And they were so ready. Through the sermons and nights of devotions, their hearts had been softened to the gospel and they were ready to give Christ their life. I listened to them pray and they sincerely asked Christ to be their Savior. It was such an exciting time!! I never helped lead anyone to Christ before so I couldn't help to be moved. I was so thankful for God's working in these girl's lives and the others who surrendered their lives to God.

God did so much last week and answered so much prayer. He not only worked in the camper's hearts but mine as well. I give Him praise for that.

Philippians 4:13 is almost a cliche' among believers, but I want to encourage you to really think about and believe in its meaning. Without God you can do nothing (John 15:5), but with Him you can do anything (Phil. 4:13). You can do all things with Christ if He is your source of strength (Ps. 27:1). And when He is, it's endless of what you can accomplish.

Women Are Like Roses

Did you ever ponder how much a woman is like a rose? There are so many similarities we ladies can learn from this lovely flower.

A lady like a rose...

Should not be picked prematurely.

A man must not attempt to claim her until he is ready and prepared to keep, provide, nurture, lead and water her like a good gardener for the rest of his life. Until he can commit to her completely, he should not ask her to be his. Timing is crucial before such love should begin to bud.

Likewise, the lady should not desire or try to be picked until the time is right. She must mature and grow first. She must use her youth to deepen her roots in the soil of God's Word and to drink the Savior's water for her fulfillment (Jhn. 4:10). Too many girls have missed such an ample opportunity of growth by being picked as only tiny sprouts.

Should not be opened too early.
Whatever stage of her development, a lady should never open her heart to a man except to the one she knows will be her husband. Her hearts is a special abode for only one and to open these blossoms to the wrong man or at the wrong time is losing a precious gift which belongs to one man alone.

Should never be drunk from until the night of her wedding.
To allow a man to drink her nectar who is not her husband is not only a defilment to her roots but is also a sin against her Maker (1 Cor. 6:18). Immorality will cost her her beauty and her fellowship with her God. It will also cost her the most beautiful treasure she owns for her future husband, the one gift she gives away only once to only one person.

As a rose, women are delicate beings, easily torn and easily shattered. Too many have opened their petals at the wrong time and have allowed men to pluck them as they please. They blossom and give everything without matrimony and allow men to drink them dry. Many are being trampled on and left with their beauty, gracefulness, and purity vanished.

Don't give up hope. God is gracious and can restore those whose petals have been torn and plucked to a greater beauty than they could ever know. You'll be blessed and restored when you run to your Maker, who can water you anew again.

No matter where you are, hold on to your treasure. A woman will be blessed when out of obedience to her Maker remains closed for one man and her nectar for only one pair of lips. What a gift it will be to one privileged soul when he picks, opens, and drinks from her at God's appointed timing. What a bond of love shall be between those that choose to wait.

Like a rose, we must grow and find our fulfillment in Christ alone, and if He so desires he will bring a man to claim us one day. Until then, our petals should remain closed for only one.

....The Seas and All That is Therein...

The air is fresh; the breeze is rejuvenating. The rays of the sun gently touch my skin as the yellow ball of light rises over the horizon. The water is buoyant and feels refreshing on my legs and feet. There's not a soul in sight as I continue to walk and leave fresh footprints in the sand. I take it all in and all the beauty around me. This is one of my favorite places to be.

There's nothing like the ocean. Something about the water is so deep, so mysterious. As I stand in front of the massive sea I am in awe of God's power and how small I actually am. God created this vast body of water and life and they all belong to Him.

I love every part about the beach: long walks in the early morning, the soft sand between my toes, spending time with family, jogging along the shore, reading on the porch, watching dolphins, soaking up the sun, finding shells with the kids, feeding the seagulls, taking a swim....it all is grand.














Nehemiah 9:6~
Thou even though art Lord alone. Thou has made heaven, the heavens of heavens with all their host; the earth, and all the things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and thou perservest them all, and the host of heaven worshippeth thee.